Protection with Katherine Kelly and Siobhan Finneran is out now
The new thriller has been hugely-antipcated!
Last updated 17th Mar 2025
TV thriller dramas have become incredibly popular over the last decade, with shows such as Line of Duty, Unforgotten and The Fall keeping us all entertained. And whilst the dramas come and go, ITV/STV bosses have announced a brand new thriller called Protection.
Protection sees Happy Valley stars Katherine Kelly and Siobhan Finneran reunite in the thriller which was written by acclaimed screenwriter Kris Mrksa.
What is Protection?
Protection is a brand new thriller series airing on ITV/STV in March.
The new six-part series stars Siobhan Finneran, Nadine Marshall and Katherine Kelly, and is based on first-hand experiences of a long-serving witness protection officer.
ITV say of the drama: 'Protection is about what happens when the system breaks down. It’s about a police officer; Detective Inspector Liz Nyles (Siobhan Finneran), who finds herself at the heart of such a breach; personally compromised by an affair with a colleague, but determined to fight back, and uncover the true source of corruption within her unit. To redeem herself, the reputation of her lover, and to keep her witnesses safe. Even if they don’t always deserve it.
'Navigating the morally-grey, clandestine world of witness protection, Liz’s mission to find the truth will take her deep into the heart of the criminal underbelly and beyond as she becomes more and more torn between caring for her family, her loyalty to her lover and her duty as a police officer. This is the story of a smart, tough cop, out of her depth in a world where nothing is as it seems.'
When does it start?
Episode one hit screens on Sunday 16th March. All six episodes are available to watch on ITVX and STV Player now.
On Tuesday 28th January, bosses shared the first look images from the new drama. Check them out below:
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Is there a trailer?
The trailer was released on 15th February, alongside the caption: 'Liz will stop at nothing to protect her witnesses, and her family. Inspired by a real-life witness protection officer. Protection. Coming soon'. (sic)
What channel is it on?
Protection airs on ITV1 and ITX, and STV1 and STV Player for viewers in Scotland.
Who is in the cast?
Actress Siobhan Finneran, famed for her roles in shows such as Happy Valley, Benidorm and The Stranger, will play the lead role of Detective Inspector Liz Nyles in the series.
Siobhan will be joined on the show by Katherine Kelly, who has appeared in the likes of Happy Valley, Innocent, Coronation Street, and The Long Shadow.
Actress Nadine Marshall, who starred in Trigger Point, will also play a lead role.
Other cast members include Barry Ward, Chaneil Kular, David Hayman, Nichola Burley, and Akiya Henry.
Who created the show?
The new thriller was written by acclaimed screenwriter Kris Mrksa and produced by multi-award-winning production company New Pictures, who are responsibility for hit shows such as The Long Shadow, Des, and The Missing.
Writer Kris said: "Protection is a suspenseful conspiracy thriller, but it also explores some complex moral questions, about how far we should be prepared to go in order to serve the greater good. The murky world of witness protection, where hardened criminals are often sheltered, in the hope that they will help bring down other criminals, provides the perfect context for examining these thorny issues.
"I'm incredibly excited to be working with the team at New Pictures again, in bringing this complex world to life.”
Where was it filmed?
Filming for the new series started in Liverpool in September 2023. No exact filming locations have been revealed.
ITV’s Head of Drama, Polly Hill said: “The clandestine world of witness protection creates a thrilling backdrop for this intriguing crime thriller written brilliantly by Kris Mrska. We’ve attracted an amazing cast including Siobhan Finneran, Nadine Marshall and Katherine Kelly and I’m delighted to commission the series from Willow Grylls and her team at New Pictures.”
How many episodes does it have?
Protection will be made up of six episodes.
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